Condemned Oregon inmate mocks governor for death halt

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November 26, 2011

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In this undated handout photo released by the Oregon Dept. of Corrections shows death-row inmate Gary Haugen. The Oregon Department of Corrections is preparing for its first execution in 14 years as death row inmate Gary Haugen faces lethal injection on Dec. 6. Officials gave reporters a look Friday at the execution room at the state penitentiary in Salem. Haugen was already serving time for one killing when he was sentenced to death in 2007 for killing another inmate. He has said repeatedly he wants to cut the appeals process. Death penalty opponents still hope to head off the execution. (AP Photo/Oregon Dept. of Corrections) less

In this undated handout photo released by the Oregon Dept. of Corrections shows death-row inmate Gary Haugen. The Oregon Department of Corrections is preparing for its first execution in 14 years as death row ... more

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Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber pauses while announcing in Salem, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, that the execution of convicted killer Gary Haugen will not go on as scheduled next month and no more executions will happen while he is in office. (AP Photo/Don Ryan) less

Oregon Gov. John Kitzhaber pauses while announcing in Salem, Ore., Tuesday, Nov. 22, 2011, that the execution of convicted killer Gary Haugen will not go on as scheduled next month and no more executions will ... more

Photo: Don Ryan

Condemned Oregon inmate mocks governor for death halt

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SALEM, Ore. - A condemned inmate who was scheduled to be executed next month is slamming Gov. John Kitzhaber for giving him a reprieve, saying the governor didn't have the guts to carry out the execution.

Two-time murderer Gary Haugen had voluntarily given up his legal challenges, saying he wants to be executed in protest of a criminal justice system he views as broken. But Kitzhaber on Tuesday said he won't allow anyone to be executed while he is in office, calling Oregon's death penalty scheme "compromised and inequitable."

Haugen's criticism reverses his earlier praise of Kitzhaber's decision during an interview with The Oregonian. He told the Portland newspaper that Kitzhaber cited some of the same criticism of the death penalty that Haugen has raised.

After further reflection, Haugen said he came to the conclusion that the governor "basically pulled a coward's move" by acting on his personal beliefs instead of carrying out the will of Oregon voters, who reinstated the death penalty in 1984.

Haugen said he learned of the reprieve when he was summoned from an outdoor exercise break at the state penitentiary and allowed to read the governor's statement.

Kitzhaber called Oregon's death penalty system "a perversion of justice," saying the state only executes people who volunteer. Since capital punishment was legalized 27 years ago, only two people have been executed. Both of them, like Haugen, waived their legal challenges.

The 49-year-old inmate said he plans to ask lawyers about possible legal action to fight Kitzhaber's reprieve, which lasts until the governor leaves office. A Marion County judge had twice signed a death warrant ordering Haugen's execution. The first was reversed when the state Supreme Court intervened; the second was overruled by Kitzhaber two weeks before the Dec. 6 execution.

"I'm going to have to get with some serious legal experts and figure out really if he can do this," Haugen said. "I think there's got to be constitutional violations. Man, this is definitely cruel and unusual punishment. You don't bring a guy to the table twice and then just stop it."